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[Whoops! I posted a dupe. Catbert posted about this before - sorry. Moderators, remove the thread if you like. David] The Comeback of Cursive Once derided as a relic of the past, handwriting looks poised for a revival The Economist, Sep 7th 2016 EXCERPT: PARENTS are not the only ones bemoaning the way so many schools have given up teaching children to write longhand. Researchers are also aware that more than mere pride in penmanship is lost when people can no longer even read, let alone write, cursive script. Not being able to exchange notes with the boss or authenticate signatures, for instance, can hurt a person’s chances of promotion... Read the full article (for free) here: http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21706459-once-derided-relic-past-handwriting-looks-poised-revival-comeback-cursive Note: I am not affiliated with U.K.-based print magazine The Economist; just an occasional reader.

I just read a beautiful book, published this summer, about artists and their handwriting. I think it will interest many who follow this forum. It is like a really beautiful art exhibit, in book form. "Pen to Paper: Artists Handwritten Letters, from the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art," edited with an introduction by Mary Savig. Reproductions of letters are included, along with brief biographical info about the artists, analysis of the handwriting and how it reflects that individual's approach to art, and other interesting bits. (Full typed transcriptions of the handwritten letters are also included at the back of the book.) I borrowed the book from the library. Hardcopies and a Kindle edition are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Pen-Paper-Handwritten-Smithsonians-Archives/dp/1616894628

And no, it's not a tremor. Backstory. For eight years I've worked in my hell hole at a corporate desk job at which the most handwriting involved is writing down my lunch order onto a Post-It once a week. I sometimes jot down 6-digit numbers too. Real intense. Handwriting has always been a passion of mine and I've been dismayed to watch mine give up the ghost. I committed fully to learning calligraphy in some serious way, but had no guidance and was subsequently clueless. In March, a stray comment changed my life and put a name to my penmanship journey. Copperplate. Copperplate and I evolved from strangers to lovers to sharing a very twisted BDSM relationship, all in a matter of weeks. I practiced, a lot. Drills and drills and drills. I drilled for weeks before attempting minuscules, even. Unfortunately my progress slowed down a LOT once I endeavored along with majuscules. I found myself contemplating a universe in which no capital B exists, but then how could there be no Beyonce. So with slowed progress I've practiced less. I haven't stopped. And I've practiced some other styles, more modern, since I do have an okay command of my dip pen at this point. (This may have been a huge mistake.) Completely against my will, fountain pens keep accumulating in my house. I feel bad for them getting tinkered with and not getting enough paper time. It's surprising how difficult it seemed to find anything to write about, but I slowly started to practice. Oh. The horror. I cannot write. It shakes, it trembles, it's confused. Whose hand is this? It's ten times worse than it's ever been in my life. What is going on here? My theories are that my muscle memory has been obliterated for small cursive. Well, actually that's my only theory. What can I do about it? I have some books on Spencerian but will likely need some videos to understand this rhythmic thing. Is this what I need, or do I need to just slow down and let my own unique hand return to me (most likely in a very different way than it used to be)? I know there's no right answer but any advice would be appreciated because I'm pretty stumped at this point. This photo shows my hand as steady as I can get and trying to experiment a bit. I'll respond with a better one shortly.

I preset you a German exercise book for kids to facilitate their handwriting. I thought this might be useful for some folks. http://www.hjmedia.de/K2/Schulausgangsschrift.pdf

Hi there, I'd like to compare samples of the most recent handwriting systems — whether joined handwriting style, or «print», particularly Latin scripts developed/introduced after about 1990. Let me start with two* very fine French examples Unfortunately, I cannot upload the pictures, so please help yourself here: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modèles_d%27écriture_scolaire_A_et_B *) or more correctly eight: each has an upright and an italic style, and one can choose either rather sober or slightly adorned upper case letters.

There is a scene in this dystopian novel of the near future, after the internet has crashed ecommerce where people have to pay their bills with cheques. People have forgotten how to write. Just a couple of paras in chapter four, but a treat. Book is compellingly disturbing. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mandibles-Family-2029-2047-Lionel-Shriver/dp/0062328247

Hi guys, it has been a long time that I am struggling for legible and good handwriting, I went through different types of handwriting, first I wrote in cursive but never became fluent with it then I tried separate words but were looking kind of childish writing, then I wrote on middle of the line then again I jumped back on the line with different techniques of writing, so I came to this form so that you good people can help me improve my handwriting. My one more problem is that I can write in more than 20 styles (2 of which are attached in the photo) this has became problem for me because which one style should I finalize and choose. My handwriting attached in this photo are 2 writings, open photo it will be named "1" and "2" in other photo attached (written in red colour on the photo) so you people can distinguish between two different handwritings of mine, my both handwritings in both pics are legible means I can write it fast and fluent but tell me by looking at the photo that is such writing acceptable or not and which one should I choose, thanks.

I went to NYC for the 1st time last January. Loved every single minute in that fantastic city, even the outstading experience of the greatest blizzard since 1869! I visited the MET Museum three times in five days, since I wanted so badly to see Rembrandt's paintings. In the first day (January 23th) the museum closed earlier because of the blizzard. The next day many of the museum employees were not able to work because of the snow, but on Monday, my last day in the city, I could see what I wanted. I also saw and took these pictures to post here that I was able to do today. Books on writing and calligraphy from the 17th and 16th centuries: http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/mmmcosta/Pens/20160124_130921_zpsr9sr2f8n.jpg http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/mmmcosta/Pens/20160124_131124_zpsyfjychnu.jpg http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/mmmcosta/Pens/20160124_130752_zpslezgwoz7.jpg http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/mmmcosta/Pens/20160124_130729_zpsdov1h6ql.jpg http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/mmmcosta/Pens/20160124_131108_zpskf11ttlq.jpg I hope you like it. Marcelo

Dear all, while I was browsing the web since I noticed this week again that my handwriting is ruined by my job I came across this forum. I think some people here can understand my situation. My handwriting was never prefect but quite nice. A friend once said it's as accurate as a typewriter (different typo...). That was maybe 20 years ago. In the meantime I wrote a lot, daily, doin' my job. Always quick often with a rough surface, never spending a thought about my writing but trying to keep up the speed of writing with my mind. This sometimes let to the paradox situation that I had problems reading my own handwriting even after a very short time. Mind too busy to track all my writings. Also for practical reasons I switched over to pencils some 15 years ago. And now I am here, what I do not write with the pencil I quickly write on a computer's keyboard. And my handwriting has almost gone. I realized this again last holiday's season when I was writing a small set of cards. So today I decided to get out my old fountain pen. Search the ink (found it!) and now try to find some time daily to write everything not to be written down within a second with my old pen. And on vacation all the notes no more on the laptop but with my fountain pen in a notebook. I always have a notebook with me but I do not use it all the time. And I will finally buy me that kind of fountain pen which I could not afford back in the days. Just wanted to leave you a note. And yes, browsing the forum made me looking for my old pen. So you did a good job. Ileach

I recently decided to switch my handwriting focus from cursive italic to Spencerian Business script. I have a number of resources for Spencerian thanks to my time studying calligraphy, but one thing that I can not get my hands on are the perfect set of practice sheets. I really like the sheets used in the Spencerian Theory copy books, but I can not seem to find this same style without the pre-printed letter forms and movements. I really just want a blank version, but I can not find them. The ruling is similar to French Rule, but it is different enough that French Rule templates just do not work for me. Here is what I am talking about: http://www.mcguffeyreaders.com/pics/spencerian3.jpg I know that there are plenty of Spencerian and calligraphy guide sheets that would work well enough, but I really like the sheets used in the copy books. Any assistance or direction would be greatly appreciated.

A Somewhat Informal Press Release 23 March 2016 for more information, please contact either Carolyn Haines — or — Catherine Russell Carolyn’s Email: carolyn@chirography.org Catherine’s Email: catherine@chirography.org http://chirography.org Time to let you know about a new project out there in the world, and to ask for your support in spreading the word with editorial and/or social media coverage. Time is of the essence, too, because we’re currently in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign. There’s a new organization starting up, one that focuses on some very old skills and some very contemporary problems: The Chirography Alliance If that one word there is unfamiliar, for today’s exercise in endangered basic skills, look it up in the dictionary. “Chirography.” Not chiropractic. Or chiromancy. And really not chiropody. Though the word does share a Latin root with all those other words: chiro, meaning “of/by the hand.” And it isn’t calligraphy or cursive, either, those these would be included. Chirography: writing by hand. There’s more at our website and our Kickstarter page, but here is the basic info: The Chirography Alliance is a community that connects and supports those who believe in the art and science of the handwritten word. Yeah, yeah, sounds all warm and fuzzy, cute, and maybe unnecessary, but it’s really none of those. You see, we have noticed that lots of people and organizations are currently thinking about and trying to address our imperiled ability to write with our hands. And imperiled it is, so don’t go kidding yourself. Check out your own handwriting, or try to read someone else’s. Better yet, just think about Leonardo da Vinci’s notes, the letters of John and Abigail Adams, war letters in museums around the world, Hemingway’s jottings, or that one deeply treasured love note you’ve kept stashed away for years. What if those things never existed in the first place? Handwritten lasts for centuries; digital is designed to evaporate. There is a place in this world for both. So, maybe you’ve noticed a few cultural and economic trends related to this, as we have. There are groups that write letters to strangers, teach penmanship, employ handwriting as art, advocate for cursive in the classroom, and create and sell fine and fantastic writing supplies — each of which is a great idea in its own right. — Page 1 of 2 — Well, The Chirography Alliance is a way to bring all those people and groups together: bloggers, moms, dads, journalists, grade-schoolers, business people, college students, authors, nonprofits, YouTubers, creatives, and individuals. It’s a gathering place, and a canopy under which all these worthy organizations can reside alongside individuals who care about the future of chirography. Let’s get everyone together, pool our energies and our knowledge, creating a multi-faceted partnership. We believe that — together — we can preserve the handwritten word. And yes, we are fully aware of the irony: We are using digital to help preserve that which is not digital at all. Gotta love it. For a more complete version of all this, a cool video, and for a chance to join, support, and participate, visit: chirography.org — OR — Kickstarter Read, watch the video, enjoy — and please share this information with others, in your pages, tweets, and posts. We’d love to talk with you, too, so feel free to contact either of us at the numbers above. Oh, and we do have art, lots of it, if you want it. Chirography. Is it all just one big throwback, designed to fade into dubious history in the company of Pet Rocks and 8-track tapes? We think not, in fact, quite the opposite. Chirography is something that we all need, especially as we move forward in this terribly complex, blazingly fast, sometimes exhausting, very digital world. We hope you’ll talk it up, and we hope you’ll join us, too. Thanks, The Chirography Alliance #### end ####

This is a video I made a while back that I thought this community would enjoy. The video is a demonstration on the Pilot Custom Heritage 92 in smoke, with a broad nib. The ink is Noodler's Ottoman Rose which I got as an ink sample. Enjoy! I have more videos like this on my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6pAl06Dx2E1WqWof7JnnvA

Here's a video I made a while ago demonstrating a Parker 45. It's the midnight blue model with a medium nib. I have it inked with Noodler's Navy which matches it almost perfectly. The bit-rate in the video is kinda low due to editing with Windows Movie Maker. Enjoy! I have more videos like this on my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6pAl06Dx2E1WqWof7JnnvA

Wouldn't it would be entertaining to post favorite recipes written using favorite pens and/or old handwritten recipes that came from friends and family? I am starting with a German Stuffed Turkey recipe given to me by a long ago exchange student's mother. If you are so inclined, please share your own and we can all join in two exciting obsessions! As Jacques Pepin would say, "Happy cooking!" written with my Edison Nouveau Premiere F nib

Let me begin this post by admitting that I am no expert in handwriting, and that my own handwriting is nothing about which to be proud. That being said, I have observed that the attribute known as "flex" seems to have assumed something of the aspect of a Holy Grail in penmanship. Certainly, I mean no offense to those who value this attribute; and certainly, in the hands of expert penmen, the ability to utilize expressive variance in line thickness evokes my profound admiration: but my worship of flex is tempered by the following considerations: 1) I have read stories of modern and antique nibs being destroyed in the attempt to achieve line-thickness variation. 2) I have seen nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century examples of utilitarian handwriting--business and personal letters and such--that show considerably less flex than one typically finds in latter-day attempts to achieve this quality with a fountain pen. 3) Based on my observations under 2), as well as my own handwriting, and that of members of my family's older generation, it is my impression that, except for calligraphy and the most exalted examples of Spencerian handwriting, flex is something that usually happens naturally, without much conscious effort on the part of the penman. Even most modern rigid-nibbed fountain pens produce a natural and subtle line variation which, while far short of Spencerian standards, is nonetheless most attractive and expressive. 4) As one who regards the fountain pen as a useful tool, as well as a thing of beauty in its own right, I am personally most interested in pens that can write rapidly and easily on a variety of papers, and which are robust enough to survive in a utilitarian environment. It is my understanding, based in part on personal experience, that the more flexible nibs tend to be harder to manage, slower, and more fussy in regard to paper. It is also my understanding that the general trend of fountain pen nibs since the 1920s has been towards rigidity, reliability, and durability--for our forebears did not regard the fountain pen as an exotic trophy, but, rather, as a practical writing instrument, as we regard the computer today. 5) My father had an incredibly beautiful handwriting; but even though he used to reminisce about the eyedropper-filled Waterman's fountain pen that he owned as a boy, which, he related, was capable of great variation in line thickness, his own handwriting, with both fountain pens and ball-point pens, showed no more than the subtle variations in thickness of line to which I have already referred. Beauty and elegance in penmanship does not necessarily require flexibility in the thickness of the line. 6) When I learned penmanship in the early 1950s, using dip pens and inkwells recessed in screwed-to-the-floor desks, my teachers said nothing about variations in line thickness as a criterion of good handwriting--even though they apparently covered everything else, and drove me half-crazy with their punctiliousness. As regards the whole matter of "flex," I am reminded of the exaggerated messa di voce that was much in fashion amongst early-music musicians in the 1970s. Although loosely based upon the writings of Quantz and other 18th-century theorists, their execution of this adornment transcended the boundaries of good taste and belonged--like so much that they did (and still do, alas) to the realm of mannerism. Without, once again, impugning those who rightly cultivate the beautiful and expressive art of flexibility of line variation, I am sensible of the need to beware of being more orthodox than the ancients themselves in this respect.

I'm not really sure what I need to do/change to improve my handwriting. Specifically that of my left hand. It's always been decently legible, just not 'nice'-looking. For a short background on why, I was switched back in elementary school, and by the time I had a teacher that would let me write left-handed (or probably--didn't try!) I couldn't write fast enough with that hand to take notes/etc. So, samples: If not obvious, the smoother-looking samples were done with my right hand--the second and third blocks. The first and fourth block were done with my left hand (and, yikes, sorry about that first sentence! gonna blame it on being a new pen I haven't written much with--it just glides on the paper, which I'm not at all accustomed to!). Anyway, how do I make my left-handed writing look nicer/smoother/more natural? I don't really care if it looks anything like my right hand, but it's the only thing I really have to compare it to (or to emulate)...which might not be a good thing! But what is the best way to do that? Just writing hasn't done it (in the past/last time about three years ago, and that was using--primarily--ballpoints to practice with...), although it did improve my writing speed a little. I've held off further practice because I've long wanted to see if a fountain pen would be different (answer: yes, pretty sure it is), and I'd also like to practice better/actually make progress, if that makes sense? Would just continuing to write now work/should I start there? Or would it be better to learn something/start over? But if so, what? Anything look like it would be a good fit? Anything particularly good/bad? So, yeah...help? Tips? Suggestions?

First world war guest book reveals mindset of soldiers bound for frontWartime document from tea room at Peterborough railway station contains heartbreaking notes, jokes and sketchesGuardian article (link) A fascinating record. Poignancy and historical interest aside, the standard of penmanship is worth noting. It would have been nice to see closeups of their handwriting alongside the typed transcriptions. Browse the visitors’ books (link) Might a dip pen have been provided next to the visitors' book? Variations in ink colour suggest some wrote with their own pens while others used pencil.

...from the pacific northwest. Figured I should join, since I keep running across the forum in researching what to start with/comparing inks, etc. And I'm so new that I don't, as of yet, have a fountain pen, although I've wanted one for a while. Looks like I'll have to order one online--other than Cross, the only FP I've seen locally that's not for calligraphy is a Sheaffer VFM. I'm planning to get a Pilot Metropolitan (plus the con-50 converter) and a Platinum Preppy (only an extra few $, might as well, right?), and some ink samples. Maybe more than I 'need' to start--the metro does come with a converter, after all, and since the ink syringe I have has been missing for a while, I'll need one of those--but I do expect to like fountain pens in general, due to preferring pens with more liquidy ink and pens that don't need as much pressure. One of my hands should like writing with the pens, I figure, right? Via some searching, it looks like using the same pen(s) with both hands shouldn't be a problem? I'll mostly be writing with my left hand, I figure (as I'd like to go back to writing fiction for 'fun'...and actually writing, rather than typing, which isn't the same), but I'll probably still use my right hand for quick notes if it's something I won't need to read months in the future. Suffice it to say I was forced to write right-handed in school, and that didn't go over well for the long term. Writing now results in pain with my right hand, especially if I go slow enough to get it legible. I'm an underwriter when writing left-handed, so sounds like I shouldn't need to make too many considerations (ie, don't really need fast-drying ink), although I'd like my left-handed writing to look 'nicer' at some point. It's legible, but it's not 'smooth' (and however much or little writing I do, it doesn't seem to change much...), and I'm not sure if that's me or some other factor(s). Should I ask in the handwriting sub-forum, or wait? I'd show writing samples to see if I could get ideas on what to do (just practice/slow down, start over, get better paper, try different sized nib, etc.), but, again, don't yet have a fountain pen yet, and at least with my left hand, the pen I use *does* seem to change my handwriting a little, so I suppose I should wait on that? Anyway, just saying hello from a likely future lurker. I usually don't post much in forums because of not getting thoughts/questions across well, but never know!

Hello, This is my handwriting its written with an lamy al star fine nib. I'm 16 years old and I just started with fountain pens, I'm open to all commentary. Just let me know if you have any tips on improving my handwriting

As I already explained in my introduction post here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/262104-hello-from-the-netherlands/ I've come to this forum hoping that it will help me to improve my handwriting. And as a picture can say more than a 1000 words, this is a sample of my handwriting from when I started on this quest of self improvement: http://gruffalo.mooo.com/web/forum_pics/20140301_140219_small.jpg As you can see, improvement is desperately needed. And to make matters worse, in this sample I was really trying to make it look not as bad as usual. The sample was written with a company-issued ballpoint pen (as that was my go-to pen at the time). Pretty bad huh? As described above, after that, I started writing with fountain pen, for a month I took all my notes at work by hand instead of digital. But haven't actively tried to change the way I write. Just by changing the pen I use and simply writing more, in a month time I went from the above to this: http://gruffalo.mooo.com/web/forum_pics/20140301_140233_small.jpg Still pretty terrible, but a slight improvement can be seen. At least enough to motivate me to keep up trying to improve myself. Any advice will be appreciated

http://uproxx.com/life/2015/08/master-penman-craftsman-jake-weidmann/

My handwriting has improved immensely since I switched to lined notebooks, but is there a method to keep baselines even on unlined paper? Is it simply to keep a lined sheet under your sheet of expensive stationery? Or make very light pencil lines? What does anyone else do?

Here's a juicy one! Michael Sull made individual name place cards for all the students in his class yesterday at The San Francisco Pen Show. This is mine and it's really spectacular, wouldn't you agree!? The class was from 1:00-5:00 but it got a bit frazzled at the start* so he continued on past the allotted time by an hour and a half....he is such a giving person and a wonderful teacher. He helped me get my pen 'hold' in order and it's made a remarkable difference. I bought two of his pens for the flanges are especially made by him to facilitate proper Spencerian. Also such a treat to hear him tell all the stories he's accumulated over the years of being a calligrapher. I feel overwhelmingly privileged to have taken his Spencerian Class. Never forget it. *I was frazzled and late as well, because I got a very scary full blown out tire on a super busy S F Bay Area highway on the way to the Sofitel Hotel. His mannerism was so calm and relaxing however, that I completely let go of the stressed mental state in which I started the class. We should all be so graced by our teachers. Here is a book he signed. I also have a video of a book signing but I am unsure if those are allowed on FPN and/or if it would be proper/acceptable to be putting up someone else's work.

Hello! I am a student in year 10. My senior years are coming up, and I have had a huge problem with my handwriting speed. So basically, I was researching around for handwriting speed tips or how to write faster or ANYTHING that could help me improve at all and I found that people like Nonsensical can write 'the quick brown fox jumped swiftly over the lazy dog' in 10 - 12 seconds, with very neat and legible writing . All I can write at the moment is at max 24 - 27 words per minute under exam conditions. But to be honest, its not good enough at all. My handwriting is legible, and I've been holding the pen correctly since primary school but I simply cannot write fast enough to finish my exam papers or take down notes in class. We don't use fountain pens in school, only ballpoint pens and that is what I want to stick to at the moment, but I wanted to hit 40 -50 words. When I try to write as fast as I can for 1 minute periods, I can hit 30 words but then my wrist gets all cramped up when I try to maintain it. I think my writing motion may be incorrect as well. Does anyone have any tips, handwriting suggestions or links to other places where I can improve? I'm not really interested in adapting any shorthand techniques or dropping the 'e' while writing because I need to be able to write in English exams with my writing and I can't be accidentally leaving out an 'e' here and there or writing in a language that my teachers cannot understand. I do have till the end of the year to try practice and improve before it will start heavily impacting my grades. And one more thing, I don't mind writing in cursive or print, I'm happy to learn any as long as they will be effective and fast in exams Please help! Thank you

What is some good paper for both printing and writing? I have found worksheets online which will help me practice my handwriting but I want it to be good to write on. I've heard Tomoe River paper is kind of good for printing and amazing for writing so... Is that what I should go with? What should I do? Thank you!